WANTED: Our brightest AgTech minds

Budding innovators with big ideas will be front and centre at the third annual Food Leaders Australia (FLA) 400M AgTech Investment Forum being held in Toowoomba’s Armitage Centre on May 24.

If you believe you have an AgTech project that could be world changing or an idea that needs a helping hand to get it to fruition, then the FLA wants to hear from you.

The 400M AgTech Investment Forum connects our brightest innovators with the region’s most influential investors to accelerate the next generation of agricultural productivity, production specialisation and sustainability.

This year the FLA are seeking 12 individuals or businesses to pitch their projects, which must be investment ready and seeking funding for the next stage of their commercialisation, to an impressive panel of industry experts and potential investors.

Ideally, the project/service will have progressed past concept stage and had some market research/testing undertaken, with Expressions of Interest from pitchers closing on Friday, April 13.

Agriculture to set to become Australia’s next $100 billion industry by 2030, and FLA general manager, Bruce McConnel, said this would need to be facilitated by an increase in AgTech investment.

“Global opportunity for AgTech from the private sector is estimated to be approximately US$189 billion between 2013 and 2022, and Australia is behind the rest of the world in investment in this space,” Mr McConnel said.

“As a result, FLA/TSBE created this event and has facilitated it for the last three years to shine a light on the importance of continued and increased investment in this area,” he said.

“As evidence of the success of the event, five of the 12 pitchers from 2017’s 400M event received funding from investment bodies,” he said.

The Forum is expected to attract national and international innovators, venture capitalist investors and agribusiness leaders from across the Asia-Pacific who want an exclusive preview into the emerging technology and investment opportunities that will drive the next level of productivity and sustainability for agriculture.

The 400M AgTech Investment Forum provides a valuable opportunity to network and learn from investors what types of projects/services they are attracted to, and the challenges of commercialisation.

Individuals and business are encouraged to express their interest in pitching their concept at the 400M AgTech Investment forum by contacting Bruce McConnel by email [email protected] or phone 0499 025 118.

Expression of Interest forms can be found at www.tsbe.com.au/400m-agtech-conference and must be completed and submitted by no later than Friday, April 13.